I really appreciate your viewpoint, Katarina, and find it complex and moving. Yet I have a son with a major mental illness, and he had lots of love and good care as a baby and child. In his case, it seems to be biological, not a lack of childhood attachment. I don't doubt that having friendships and community beyond his family (mostly me, at this point) would help him, but it's hard for him to sustain that. When he goes off his meds, which he does frequently, he becomes paranoid, manic, and aggressive, which feels scary and alienates others. In cases like his, it seems medication is the primary answer. But honestly, I would be open to anything that works (IDK if he would; IDK if he wants to be "normal"). Over the past 20 years, since he developed this disability at age 18, I've tried to help him in every way I can think of, and it's still very hard to understand what's needed. :(